One of the first demolition contractors on site after New York terror attacks looks back.
In the 10 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, the demolition industry’s involvement in the post-9/11 clean up operation has been sadly mired in the seemingly endless fiasco surrounding the almost perpetual demolition of the neighbouring Deutsche Bank building.
But with the 10th anniversary of America’s darkest day now imminent, the Charlotte Observer has produced an excellent and timely article detailing DH Griffin’s involvement in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
David Griffin says he wasn’t looking to be put in charge of the effort when he loaded up his truck and headed for New York to see if he could lend a hand. Griffin wasn’t invited to ground zero, but in the same way that thousands of young men and women watched the news about the terrorist attacks and went to the nearest U.S. Army or Marine recruiting station to sign up, Griffin felt pulled to New York.
After the shock of every large-scale disaster comes the need to clean it up. Griffin knew he could help. “It was an honor to be a part of it,” he says, looking back.
His experience on the project changed the nature of his business, and it altered the way Griffin looks at life.
“All those people who died that day were doing no different from what we’re doing,” Griffin says of the 2,749 people who perished when planes hit both World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. “They were doing their jobs. It makes you appreciate your family. You should appreciate every day, because you never know what life holds for you.”
We would urge you to read the rest of the story here.
